From Overwhelmed Mom to Super Mommy

Just a little over two weeks ago, I wrote a blog post about being an overwhelmed mom who needed to remember that she can’t do it all. I have to say, what a difference two weeks makes. Last week, I started making the transition from an overwhelmed mom to… well, not exactly super mommy, but it’s getting closer.

I finally got my house clean. Or at least, partially clean. Last Sunday, I had time since the kids were cooperative to clean the upstairs. I cleaned both kids’ rooms, the living room, the bathroom, and the kitchen. I got all of the laundry folded and put away. It was good. I felt instantly relaxed because I wasn’t surrounded with chaos. I wanted to keep it that way.

For a week now, I’ve managed to keep those rooms clean. Every day I vacuum all of the rooms upstairs (because T’akaya the Brilliant Border Collie sheds so much that I could make a new dog every week with the fur she leaves lying around). I take a few minutes and clean the rooms as I vacuum… and discovered that it takes me exactly 80 seconds to do a quick vacuum of the living room. If I miss a spot, it’s not a big deal since I’ll vacuum it again tomorrow. Since I’m picking up Norton’s room every day, it takes me less than two minutes to pick it up, and less than three minutes to do all of that, make his bed, and vacuum. The same thing goes for Eudora’s nursery.

And I’ve even managed to cook dinner every night. The husband loves it.

For my sanity and Norton’s well-being, we went to the park two days last week. My goal for this week? To integrate going to the park every day for a bit. After fifteen minutes of running around, Norton is happier, he’s burned off some energy, and he’s ready to climb back in the stroller and go home. (In fact, today, he walked over to the stroller of his own accord and got in. I didn’t say anything to suggest that it was time to go. He just… went.)

If I do it right, maybe we can just slowly integrate in all of the things that I want to do: working out (beyond walking to the parks), baking a loaf of bread once a week, arts and crafts time with Norton, and so forth. It’s a bit more realistic if I do it in bite size pieces, and it’s far less overwhelming than trying to do it all at once. Building habits is key.

How did you work your way into your own idea of a super mommy?

Originally written April 30, but just now posted because I’ve been doing a better job of cleaning my house and cooking dinner.

Comments

Hi Super Mommy. I agree. It is about building habits. My girls are grown now, but I had a strict routine. I actually had a home-school preschool and hired some teachers who helped with some of the domestic duties. I was able to work from home and be with my kids at the same time. I think if you keep up that great routine, you will be getting your exercise in and those wonderful art projects in, in no time! Take care, Susan

I have learned something about myself. If I spend some time cleaning up a room or organizing something in my house that drives me nuts, I feel much happier and energetic. I so understand you saying you felt peace. I know that feeling.

Ha. It’s not an in depth vacuum. You know, no moving furniture around. And it takes 80 seconds to vacuum my living room, so all totalled, it’s about a five minute job to to do the entire upstairs. 🙂 And T’akaya sheds a lot, so it’s necessary.